40+ Best Western Horse Names

Are you struggling to find inspiration for Western horse names? Does your horse have a striking appearance or a fiery spirit? These can be helpful starting points for a good horse name.

In this article, we’ll get straight down to business and list the best Western horse names, as well as provide some guidance on how to make the right choice.

Famous Western Horse Names Throughout History

Over the years there have been plenty of famous Western horses from pop culture and throughout history. These have captured the attention of horse owners and remain popular names:

• Trigger: This stunning Palomino stallion was Roy Rogers’s famous film and TV partner. The name Trigger came to Roy thanks to his horse’s nimbleness and ability to learn quickly.
• Silver: In the famous TV and radio series The Lone Ranger, Silver is the name of the wild Mustang ridden by the main character.
• Flicka: In the popular American TV series My Friend Flicka, a young boy is given a horse to raise. Flicka is a free-spirited chestnut mare who takes her owner on many adventures.
• Buttermilk: This Buckskin Quarter Horse starred alongside Trigger in numerous films and TV shows in the 50’s. He was famously ridden and owned by actress, singer, and songwriter Dale Evans.
• Warpaint: The NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs have a horse called Warpaint as their mascot. Although several different horses have been used as the mascot over the years, a steady skewbald pinto is always chosen.
• Cincinatti: One of Ulysses S Grant’s favorite horses was Cincinatti—a bay Thoroughbred standing at over 17 hands high. Grant was quoted as saying Cincinatti was “the finest horse I ever seen.”
• Comanche: This horse is famous for displaying immense bravery during the fateful Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. Comanche was a plain bay, mixed breed horse with no particularly striking features. However, the horse was wounded many times in battle and displayed strong perseverance and loyalty.
• Nelson: This was George Washington’s favored horse during the Revolutionary War due to his level-headed nature when faced with loud noises. He was a tall chestnut with a white blaze and socks.
• Blueskin: Another of George Washington’s notable mounts was Blueskin. This highly-strung half-Arabian was more skittish than Nelson. Nevertheless, his strength and endurance were admirable. Washington is usually depicted atop Blueskin’s striking grey coat.
• Reckless: Also known as Sergeant Reckless, this horse is a decorated hero from the Korean War. This smart chestnut mare was capable of running supply trips without the need for a handler and quickly became accustomed to the loud gunfire. She was also well-known for her many quirks, such as wandering freely through soldiers’ tents and eating almost anything in sight.
• Midnight: This famous jet-black bucking horse was reportedly impossible to ride. In the 1920s, his owner decided to try Midnight as a bucking horse after repeated attempts to use him to work stock on his ranch. Thanks to this, the horse was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979.
• Scamper: This bay Quarter Horse gelding made a name for himself as a repeat barrel racing champion. In the 1985 WPRA World Championship, Scamper and his owner had a historic win after the bridle fell off at the last barrel, and they continued to the finish line.

Male Western Horse Names

• Ace: A name for a top-performing horse that radiates excellence and reliability.
• Bandit: Bandit is a great name for a black horse with a cheeky character or fearless personality.
• Bronco: As the name suggests, this horse will be full of energy and determination—perhaps a little wild and untamed.
• Buckshot: Inspired by the speckled patterns of buckshot, this name is great for an Appaloosa or dappled horse.
• Cinch: This very American name is inspired by the type of girth on a Western saddle.
• Gambler: A classic American horse name, perfect for a spirited risk-taker or brave stallion.
• Maverick: This name embodies independence and free spirit. It’s ideal for a horse with some quirks and charm.
• Patriot: A name that exudes pride and loyalty and is fitting for a steadfast and noble horse.
• Ranger: This signifies a wise soul with a calm nature and represents a guardian of the open range.
• Rooster: Quirky and full of charm, this name is suited to a horse with a playful personality.
• Rustler: This name is perfect for a mischievous horse that’s quick on its feet.
• Scout: This is a great name for an alert, curious horse that will never fail you.
• Sundance: This name evokes the spirit of the Wild West, like the Sundance Kid. It’s equally suitable for a horse with chestnut, Palomino, or Buckskin coloring.
• Whiskey: Smooth and bold, just like the spirit—a great name for a horse with character and a golden brown color.
• Wrangler: A perfect name for a horse that works with cattle and has a sturdy stock-type build.

Need more ideas? We have plenty more male horse names for you to consider.

Female Western Horse Names

• Aspen: An ideal name for a spunky mare who’s quick on her feet yet reliable.
• Aurora: A name perfect for a graceful and luminous mare, particularly with grey or roan coloring.
• Autumn: This name evokes the beauty of fall, ideal for a horse with warm, earthy tones like a chestnut or rich bay.
• Bluebell: Delicate and charming, it suits a gentle and sweet-natured horse.
• Cheyenne: After the Native American Cheyenne tribe, this name signifies strength and resilience. It is perfect for a free-spirited mare.
• Cinnamon: One of the best brown horse names. It’s warm and perfect for a mare with a fiery or rich chestnut coat.
• Dakota: This name holds a deep connection to Americans as both a state name and the name of a Native American tribe.
• Hazel: Natural and serene, this is ideal for a calm and steady horse.
• Juniper: This is a fresh and vibrant name, perfect for a spirited and adventurous mare.
• Maple: This name suits a horse with a warm and friendly disposition. It would also be perfect for a liver chestnut-colored horse.
• Mesa: This is a unique name and a tribute to the wild and windy Colorado National Park.
• Poppy: A sweet name for a lively, energetic horse.
• Savannah: This name represents wide-open plains and would be best suited to a headstrong horse.
• Sierra: This name evokes the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is ideal for a sweet-natured mare.
• Shiloh: The word holds historical significance and means tranquil in Hebrew. It’s a nice name for a pretty mare with a calm temperament.
• Willow: This name evokes a sense of calm and grace, just like the tree.

Didn’t find one you liked? We have more female horse names for inspiration.

Tips for Choosing a Great Western Horse Name

When brainstorming a name for your horse, there are several things to consider:

1. What gender is your horse? Some names are gender-neutral, but others are better suited to stallions or mares.
2. What is your horse’s color? Names that relate to the coat color are always popular.
3. What is the horse’s personality type? Choosing a name that reflects your horse’s temperament is a great idea. A particularly feisty horse will be well-matched with a name that reflects this personality type.

FAQs

What is a good Western horse name?

A good Western horse name evokes the spirit of Western riding and American culture. Typically, horse names are connected to their gender, color, or temperament.

Do cowboys name their horses?

Yes, cowboys do name their horses. Cowboys often ride more than one horse in order to give sufficient rest to work horses. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t attached to their horses, and they need to identify them easily.

What are some good Western show horse names?

Show horses will have a unique registered name as well as a stable name. The registered name must be unique and follow the specific breed registration rules, however a stable name can be anything you want. An example of a Western show horse name could be Little Miss Annie Oakley, while the stable name will just be Oakley.

Final Thoughts

You’re now equipped with the inspiration to name your horse. We have provided some creative names as well as some with timeless charm, but there’s plenty to choose from.